Cancer Of Mouth: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Mouth cancer is a cancerous growth in any part of the mouth- tongue, in the inner lining of the cheeks, in the gum region, the lips, salivary glands, tonsils or in the roof and floor of the mouth. The common symptoms associated with mouth cancer include tongue and jaw pain, difficulty chewing and swelling, a mouth sore that constantly bleeds refusing to heal and growth of a lump like substance in the mouth. The term mouth cancer is used to refer to several types of head as well as neck cancers. Mouth cancers are caused by the changing of cells in the DNA which continue to change and mutate. These form a tumour and spread, over time to not only in the inner regions of the mouth but also to other parts such as the neck or head.

The mouth cancer can become aggravated by these following factors; smoking, chewing of tobacco and taking of snuff, heavily drinking of alcohol, exposure of sunlight to the affected region, a weak immune system or due to any virus that has been transmitted sexually. Treatment for oral cancer comprises of radiation therapy, chemotherapy or surgery.

Oral cancer or oral cavity cancer is a kind of cancer that starts from the mouth. It develops in the interior of the mouth. Mouth cancer is one of the many types of cancer seen in the head and neck region. The following are the most prevalent areas of our oral cavity where indications of mouth cancer can be seen:

• Lips.
• The topmost part of the mouth also called the hard palate.
• The lining of the lips and cheeks is called the buccal mucosa.
• The floor of the mouth under the tongue.
• Front two-thirds of the tongue.
• Retromolar trigone, which is the small area behind the wisdom teeth.
• Upper and lower gums, also known as the gingiva.

Summary: Oral cancer is a kind of cancer that starts developing in the internal parts of the mouth. The most frequent places of our oral cavity where indicators of mouth cancer can be observed are the lips, throat, and other parts.

Treatment for mouth cancer includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy. If your cancer is detected in the early stages then the effects of surgery are minimal as opposed to detection in later stages which have higher chances of causing you disfigurement. Initially the doctor will get an examination done of your mouth to figure out the problem areas such as sores or leukoplakia (white patches) which may have lead to the causation of the cancer. On discovering the problem area the doctor may collect a sample of the cells by using a surgical tool or a scissor or scalpel and send it for biopsy. These samples are then surveyed for indications of a possible risk of cancer.

After your doctor has established that the mouth disease is due to cancer he/she will try to find out the extent of the cancer by doing an endoscopy. By using imaging tests such as computerized tomography (CT) scans, X rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) your doctor will try to figure out if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body.

In case of surgery, the doctor will remove the tumor completely from your mouth. After removal a reconstruction of the mouth or face might be necessary. Radiation therapy works by treating the tissues that are instrumental for the cancerous growth in the mouth. Radiation therapy is of two kinds; external bean radiation therapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy. Chemotherapy works in combination with radiation therapy and eliminates the cancerous cells from the body. Targeted drug therapy is often combined with chemotherapy or radiation therapy to treat mouth cancer because this therapy has the chance of interfering with growth of cells.

Patients having normal vitals are eligible to undergoing treatment especially surgery for mouth cancer. Those people whose vitals are not found to be normal are told by the doctor to reschedule their surgery.

People who are allergic to drugs and those with a weak immune system are advised to opt for naturopathic options in the beginning to try to treat their condition.

People who undergo radiation therapy are prone to side effects such as loss of taste sensation, hoarseness, skin redness, fatigue, trouble swallowing, dryness of mouth, trouble opening or closing your mouth and skin changes. Side effects of chemotherapy include feeling of sickness all the time, diarrhoea, sore mouth, loss of hair, bleeding and fatigue. Every surgery has some side effects associated with it; the degree however, often varies with the complication of the surgery. These include clots, allergies to anaesthesia, pneumonia and infections. For more complicated surgeries, the side effects might include face disfigurement and trouble with eating and speaking. The skill of the surgeon is a decisive factor for determining the degree of side effects.

In the post-treatment stage while still at the hospital, patients are asked to do certain facial exercises especially if they have gone for reconstructive surgery. Meditation techniques are also advised in order to release stress. Once back at home patients are asked to adopt a healthier diet chart comprising of nutrients to build up the body immunity and enable it to recover faster. A series of follow-up appointments are a necessity in order to evaluate whether the drugs are working properly, if the medications are causing any side effects, if any changes are required in treatment and how fast you are recovering. Also, smoking and drinking are strictly prohibited as that might disrupt the chances of recovery.

The time taken to recover from radiation therapy or chemotherapy that is prescribed for treating oral cancer ranges from about 6 weeks to about few months, maybe 2-3, depending on well the patient adheres to the post-treatment guidelines.

The cost of oral cancer treatment in India ranges from something between 2 lakhs to 10 lakhs. The cost depends on the part that is being treated and also on certain criteria’s such as if the patient requires surgery, if a reconstruction surgery is further required, if the patient is undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Results of the treatment are not always permanent. Recurrences have a high chance of occurring in the head, neck and lungs once again, especially in the first 2 years of treatment. So it is essential that the patients get themselves checked every few months to prevent the chances of recurrences.

The alternative to oral cancer treatment medications are naturopathic ones. These include herbal products, homeopathic medicines, supplements, hydrotherapy, etc, to name a few that offer GI support and treat nausea, acid reflux, gas, bloating and diarrhoea. These medications are natural and completely non-toxic.

Summary: Mouth cancer, often known as oral cancer, is a kind of head and neck cancer. It can be discovered in a variety of oral tissues and sites. The condition is most commonly diagnosed in older people, although it can also affect young individuals. Several variables have been related to the causes of mouth cancer, including tobacco use, age, gender, environment, and so on.